“Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and 37 GOP senators will call on the Education Department today to stop a proposed rule that invokes the 1619 Project – the latest turn in the culture wars. The Biden administration – citing the ongoing reckoning over race and the disproportionate effects of the pandemic on African Americans – has proposed updating American history curricula to more fully flesh out the consequences of slavery and contributions of Black Americans. The lightning rod for Republicans? That the proposal specifically mentions the 1619 Project, which several prominent historians have criticized – particularly its suggestion that the American Revolution was fought to secure slavery. In a letter, McConnell and the other senators will blast the administration for putting ‘ill-informed advocacy ahead of historical accuracy.'”
“‘Americans do not need or want their tax dollars diverted from promoting the principles that unite our nation toward promoting radical ideologies meant to divide us,’ the letter reads. ‘Americans never decided our children should be taught that our country is inherently evil.’ The missive comes as former President Donald Trump on Thursday called for McConnell to be replaced as leader. That won’t happen, of course, but the Kentucky Republican no doubt is looking to throw some red meat to the base. McConnell has been warning that ‘woke ideology’ is taking over corporations, Hollywood – and now the education system. And Republicans generally think these issues could help them win the House and Senate in 2022” – Politico Playbook.